Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-12-23
4 LOVERS EXPERIENCE.

sleep, and several times 1 have heard
you say: 90 Matte, Matte, must
lose you forever?"
Now, old boy, I should Judge a
Matte has had something to do with
that troubled look Of yours. Am
not right2
well Charley you seem to have
the keynote to my misery, so L viii tell
you of all my trouble; although you
are the first person whom I have ever
met TO whom 1 would be willing to con-
fide. believe we both engaged
with the firm Of Miller Bros. & Go.
the same week. You came from R.,
west, and came from j, east.
Meeting strangers, We soon became
friends; and hope we may always re-
main the same.
Many and many a time 1 have
wished TO tell you all, but you never
before asked me. Now, being as you
have, I will unburden my heart to You,
and perhaps you can advise me.
Eight years ago this month, not being
in good health, thought to visit some
summer resort to recuperate, but while
my body was being made strong my
heart and mind lost their usual
buoyancy.
"Yes, Matte it is who has caused me
Sc much trouble and so many sleepless
nights; and have tried. o so hard, to
forget her; poor girl, or woman rather,
her life must be miserable. But she
was not to blame.
after / had been at S. about
two weeks I was one day taking exer-
else in a boat, all alone; and as it was
an unusually pleasant August afternoon
I went farther out than usual along
about 4 o'clock noticed a boat to my
right containing four persons, pulling
toward me, and as they came near L
recognized a Mr.. Renolds, an old
chum Of my school-days. As they came
alongside he greeted me, and made
me acquainted with his three lady
compauions, to one Of whom I took a
peculiar liking; and on my lonely trip
home that evening vowed that should
be my last trip alone.
an few days, meeting Renolds, 1
earelessly inquired who the young lady
was, as I had forgotten her name, and
he told me it was a Miss Matte v,
a very fine young lady Of Portland, and
he also said she had returned to her
home.
ait is needless to say I was sorely dis
appointed; in fact L loved her from the
instant our eyes met.
is she likely to return this season p
enquired.
No, 1 think not replied he, 'as her
parents are not very we'll of, and can
not afford to let her remain here long.
al went to my room that evening with
a heavy heart, and while remained
there my life was more miserable than
it was ever before, but leaving there
did not ease me. worried constantly.
1.-THE next season L went there again,
but she did not come.
"And the next season 1 went again
just before 1 came here, in the vain
hope Of meeting her. 1 could not at
ford il, but / went.
Joy to my aching heart the first per
son I met was Matte v, and, strange
to say, We recognized each the moment
we met; and stranger still, we met as
if we had been old friends
20, can any one imagine the burden
lifted from my heart as her hand
touched mine / invited her to walk
to the hotel with me, an invitation she
blushingly accepted. Before we parted
it was agreeably settled we should 60
boating after dinner, which we did, and
look back on part Of that evening as
the happiest Of my life, and part as the
most miserable.
Il poured my soul out to her, and asked
her to be mine. But when I had
finished. Charley, imagine my feelings.
II you can.
"She looked at me with tears gush-
ing from her eyes and said: Forgive
-oe, dear sir, but am already married.
For an instant, heaven forbid, 1 was
tempted to take both our lives, but my
better nature cvercame the evil spirit
and our return to shore was in silence,
except her bitter sobs.
GAS took her hand to assist her land
ing all my hatred turned to pity, and
humbly begged for forgiveness.
Friend replied she, 1t is I who
should ask forgiveness should have
told YOU all before. but I could not
Ee were such strangers. 1t has all
been so sudden. am not married yet,
but Just as good God grant I may
have strength to fulfill my promise
what could I say what could I do
Must I give up hope, yes, my very life
'No, I could not; no 1 would not.
must know all
Placing her arm in mine, we started
for the hotel. some three-quarters Of q
mile distant In silence we walked
along until we came to the park. Here
I made a bold effort to control myself
and asked her to take a seat and tell
me all, but she hesitated, then said
1t is due you, and VIII, but remem-
Der, there's to be no argument
have given my promise, and for my
parents sake I must fulfill it, al
though it may take my life.
My father is In the ship-building
business at Portland, and somehow o.
other has been losing money for three
or four years.
About ten months ago he had large
vessel about half completed. when hs
found himself short Of money. VIVA.
was to be done? We contrived ever
means, and at last father went to hi